A WORD FOR TODAY 19 JULY 2019

A WORD FOR TODAY

Today in the first reading we sed how God instructed the people of Israel to eat a passover meal in preparation for their liberation and freedom from the hands of pharaoh and his people. The Lord instructed them to sprinkle the blood of the lamb of sacrifice on their door post that when He sees the blood He will pass over them and the destruction that is meant for those who harden their hearts will not come to them.

The Lord gave pharaoh and his people the opportunity to repent, but they hardened their heart and as a result of that they experienced the mighty power of God that is made manifest when there is miscarriage of justice. The people chosen by God were suffering and God came to set them free from the hands of those who were holding them in bondage.

In the gospel reading we see how Jesus explained to the Pharisees what is important in terms of application of the law. Every law that is given has a spirit behind it which is different from the letter of the law, therefore, if the law we observe does not primarily work for the good of humanity, then that law should not be.

They were bothered that the disciples of Jesus were plucking corn to eat on the Sabbath and as such they have broken the law of the Sabbath, but they were not concerned that they were hungry and could die of their hunger. We must be like Jesus who makes provisions for us in our times of need. Rituals and sacrifices are good, but when we perform them to the detriment of the good of our neighbour, then it becomes evil. God desires mercy not sacrifice.

God is merciful and He wants us to be merciful too. We must place the good of people above keeping the law. If my keeping the law harms others and cause them pain, then it has done me no good, but if my keeping the law makes them better and stronger, then I have done what is needed and God will be happy with me.

Good must be done always and we should be ready to show mercy to others as we ourselves have received mercy. We must not let our attachment to rituals and laws stop us from seeing how our action can help to save a life and help the needy to find the help they need to be better people.

Good morning dearest one. Smile😊 as you do your work and do have a blessed day. May Jesus move you so that you will do those things that will bring good to others in the course of your work. Amen. And may the Almighty God bless you: the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Meditation: Exodus 11:10-12:14/Psalm 116:12-13,15-18/Matthew 12:1-8

Watch-Word: I desire mercy, not Sacrifice.

Our application of the law must have as a priority, the good of humanity. If my keeping the law does not do good to human beings, then it is a bad action.